Following the Earthquakes across Turkey and Syria and the unfolding humanitarian disaster, Action Together has updated its international crisis support info on the website, with information on on how local people can help if they want to.
For more details follow the link here.
Oldham’s Liberal Democrat Opposition Leader and GM transport spokesperson councillor Howard Sykes MBE has again called for “common sense” on Greater Manchester ‘clean air zone’ proposals. Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham is expected to announce the latest on the Clean Air Zone soon following indications from the government that they will allow/force a charging zone to go ahead.
Councillor Sykes said, “The Tory Government and the GM Mayor must finally show some common sense. Everyone can see the original proposals were oversized and ridiculous. If anything, we need a very small city centre Clean Air Zone and for the charges to be scrapped. Why on Earth would we want to see more costs heaped onto the people of Oldham during a cost-of-living crisis?”
The Liberal Democrat Leader also slammed a “staggering waste of money” on Clean Air Zone signage across Oldham and Greater Manchester.
Councillor Sykes said, “Last year, the Liberal Democrats revealed that Clean Air Zone signs across Greater Manchester costed more than £3million. It’s a staggering waste of money given the future and scope of the scheme is still unclear.”
NOTES
CAZ signs costed more than £3m
Howard Sykes MBE, and leader of Oldham Councils’ Liberal Democrat Opposition said, “For all the talk of levelling up, the Council and the Government have had a decade to really make a difference for our town.”
In 2013, a ten-year refurbishment of the Oldham Coliseum building triggered a raft of plans to rejuvenate arts and culture in Oldham.
Councillor Sykes said, “Instead, plans came and went. The clock was run down, until the Arts Council pulled the rug from under the feet of an organisation that was only just still standing. Now the Coliseum has simply run out of time and resources. A decade of missed opportunities from the Government and the Labour Council have brought us to this situation.”
In 2013, proposals for a new building collapsed. In 2019, the same happened again. Then in 2022, a third set of plans reduced the options to a much smaller 260 seat theatre (the current capacity is 550 and would lead to major changes regardless), one which would not open until at least 2026, and that is now in doubt. There have been 10 wasted years and the window to do something has now been slammed shut
Councillor Sykes said, “If the Oldham Labour administration had put more time and effort on this jewel in Oldham’s crown instead of wasting it on failures like Prince’s Gate and Hotel Futures, we would now have a brand new theatre and a safe and thriving Coliseum.”
While the plans for a smaller theatre are approaching the planning stage, they are heavily watered down from the original proposals in size and scale.
Councillor Sykes said, “It’s heart-breaking to see the old building close. When I saw the panto this year, I did not think that it was the last time I would get to see one in the old building. I remember taking my children to see their first panto there and can recall being taken as a child myself!”
“What a travesty it is that future generations stand to miss out on this jewel in Oldham’s crown. I have signed the “Save Oldham Coliseum” petition and I encourage people in our Borough and beyond to do the same, more than 7.500 people already have. We need to make our voice heard.”
Save Oldham Coliseum
https://chng.it/fKj7SQmTnP
The Leader of Oldham Liberal Democrats councillor Howard Sykes MBE has written to the Chief Executive of Oldham Council raising concerns about changes to the law which now require people to bring photo ID with them to polling stations at election time.
Councillor Sykes said, “The government has introduced laws to make it harder for people to vote. This May, for the first time, people will need to bring photo ID with them to the polling station. Many thousands of people in Oldham do not have photo ID.”
In his letter to the Chief Executive, councillor Sykes questioned the council’s preparations for the new voting regulations.
Councillor Sykes said, “the introduction of voter ID represents the most significant change to the way people vote in a generation. We are deeply concerned that poor implementation and low awareness of the need for photo voter ID could see many eligible voters turned away from the polls in May and in the future.”
“What work is Oldham Council doing with the groups most affected by the introduction of photo voter ID – such as young people, older people, and people with disabilities – to raise awareness of this new requirement?”
The Chief Executive has indicated he will address the concerns raised by councillor Sykes at a later date.
Councillor Sykes said, “The council is dragging its feet on this when what is needed is decisive action. It would be a travesty if people end up being turned away from polling stations in Oldham. However, if I was a cynic, I might say a reduced turnout will suit some parties and people?”
NOTES
Liberal Democrats slam voter ID “chaos”
Liberal Democrats slam voter ID “chaos” as postal voters are exempt from identity checks | Howard Sykes (mycouncillor.org.uk)
Councillor Sykes writes to Oldham’s Chief Executive
1 Feb 2023
Harry Catherall
Chief Executive
Oldham Council
Dear Mr Catherall,
I am writing in relation to the May local elections and the implications of the Elections Act 2022. As you know, government changes to election law will mean that voters in Oldham will be required to present photo ID at polling stations before they are allowed to vote.
It’s the view of the Liberal Democrat Group that the passing of the governments Elections Act and the introduction of voter ID represent the most significant change to the way people vote in a generation. We are also deeply concerned that poor implementation and low awareness of the need for photo voter ID could see many eligible voters turned away from the polls in May and in the future.
So, I am writing to ask for an update on the implementation of these changes in Oldham. I would be grateful if you could address the questions listed below.
1. What work is Oldham Council doing with the groups most affected by the introduction of photo voter ID – such as young people, older people, and people with disabilities – to raise awareness of this new requirement?
2. Has Oldham Council sent out a communication to all households alerting them to this new requirement? And what is Oldham Council’s wider communication strategy on this issue – including use of social media and other avenues such as posters and leafleting.
3. How many applications have there been so far for the new Voter Authority Certificate (for people who don’t have an approved Photo ID)?
4. What progress is being made towards recruiting and training polling staff for May’s elections? And how are the implications of the Elections Act 2022 being factored into that training.
I look forward to your response.
Best wishes,
Councillor Howard Sykes MBE
I have just been informed that Government officials have confirmed Avian flu has been found at Alexandra Park after a number of birds were found dead around the greenspace.
To stop the spread of the disease the boating lake will be closed to all activities, including fishing, until further notice.
Park staff have placed signs around the park and lake specifically asking people to not feed any birds, keep dogs on leads near the water and stay on the paths.
Visitors are also asked not to touch or try to rescue sick or injured birds and to report any they see to park staff.
If no staff are around they can also report it via Environmental Services EnvironmentalServices@oldham.gov.uk or by calling 0161 770 4422.
The UK is currently facing its largest ever outbreak of avian flu with cases reported across the country. Avian flu has nothing to do with water quality or the environment and poses a low risk to humans.
Anyone who keeps birds must, by law, keep them housed and follow strict bio-security measures.
Should members of the public find dead garden birds on their property DEFRA/APHA have provided guidance on disposal:https://www.gov.uk/guidance/removing-and-disposing-of-dead-wild-birds
There is full government advice on avian flu at www.gov.uk/government/news/bird-flu-avian-influenza-latest-situation-in-england
The Government has introduced new legislation which means photographic identification will be compulsory for anyone voting in person in this year’s elections.
Voters attending the polls on Thursday 4 May will be refused a ballot if they do not show Government-approved photo ID. Accepted ID includes:
Expired ID is also accepted as long as the photo is a true likeness. You can visit the Electoral Commission website for a full list of accepted forms of voter ID
If residents don’t have any of these forms of ID, they can apply for a free voter ID which is also called a Voter Authority Certificate. A website has been set up to register for free voter ID
People can also get help getting online at any library if they need some support, or the Elections Team is able to answer question and they can be contacted at 0161 770 4318 or elections@oldham.gov.uk
You can also register to vote by post as normal, and postal votes will not require further ID. For more information, visit www.oldham.gov.uk/voterid
